• New global initiative will provide free or subsidized housing for healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders, typically closer to where they are working
• Airbnb Hosts can opt in to provide homes that follow new cleanliness protocols based on recommendations from medical experts
• Airbnb is partnering with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps and other nonprofit organizations to help support their relief workers on the front lines

Yesterday, Airbnb  announced a new global initiative to help connect those responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with safe and convenient places to stay while they carry out their critical work. The company’s goal is to help house 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world. Airbnb will waive all fees for stays arranged through this initiative.

“Medical workers and first responders are providing lifesaving support during the coronavirus outbreak and we want to help,” says Airbnb’s Co-founder Joe Gebbia. “We’ve heard from countless hosts around the world who want to provide a comforting home to heroic first responders. We are connecting our nonprofit partners, government agencies and others with our incredible host community to work together in these extraordinary times.”This initiative builds on two pilot programs in Italy and France where Airbnb announced that doctors, nurses, caregivers and other medical support staff who are responding to the outbreak can access free accommodation through Airbnb. The Airbnb community has already responded to the call: nearly 6,000 hosts across both Italy and France have already offered their homes.

To enable healthcare providers and other COVID-19 responders to find housing, Airbnb will be working with businesses, nonprofits and government and emergency management agencies supporting these responders. Hosts can opt into the program and have the option of opening their homes for free through Airbnb’s Open Homes platform, created in 2012 to meet the needs of people requiring emergency housing. If hosts are not able to host for free, Airbnb will still waive all fees on the stay.

“As medical and relief workers require accommodation for response and preparedness, the Airbnb community is in a unique position to help.”

Larry Brilliant MD, MPH, DSc

Airbnb’s partners or affiliates will ensure that stays are COVID-19 related and responders are familiar with safety protocols. To learn more and to open their homes, hosts can go to airbnb.com/covid19relief.

Through this initiative, Airbnb will be working with leading organizations who have already deployed thousands of relief workers to help fight the pandemic.

Airbnb has also launched a donation tool to help power even more stays for relief workers while they do their critical work. 100 percent of proceeds will go directly to nonprofits helping with COVID-19 relief efforts. To donate, go to airbnb.com/openhomes/covid19relief?donate.